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SunFest’s new eats: from pretzel dogs to ‘Tacos in a Bag’

Food may be the last thing on your music-loving mind as you head into SunFest this week.

But when the five-day music and art fest opens its gates at 5 p.m. Wednesday on the West Palm Beach waterfront, listen carefully between sets and you just might hear the sizzle of burgers on the grill. (Yes, Shake Shack fans, the ShackBurger returns to the festival this year.)

And within sight of the festival’s displays of art along Flagler Drive, you might come across food concessionaire Sharon Shortt’s own work of art, a dish so popular it has become a SunFest mainstay: the Tropical Pineapple Chicken ($10), a scooped-out pineapple dramatically filled with curried chicken-and-rice, pineapple and scallions.

SunFest favorite: Tropical Pineapple Chicken. (Contributed)

“That’s a signature item for SunFest. The Pineapple Chicken is the one recipe I never give out,” says Shortt, vice president and co-founder of the Fort Lauderdale-based San Francisco Puffs & Stuff Concessionaires.

This will be Shortt’s 33rd year working SunFest. So what’s new at the waterfront fest this year?

Walk, talk and nosh: coordination, SunFest-style. (Contributed)

Here are six items and vendors making their debut this year:

Taco in a Bag ($8.50)

It’s like a Frito Pie, but it’s not. Yes, it has ground beef and some kind of corn chips, but this Taco in a Bag “is more upscale than a Frito Pie,” says Shortt. The vendor, Boynton Beach-based Swensonfaz & Co., is also making cheese topped “Mexi Fries” ($6) and chocolate dipped strawberries ($6).

Mini Pretzel Dogs ($5)

New vendor Auntie Anne’s Pretzels is combining two fair favorites (hot dogs and pretzels) in one mini bite. Also on the menu: pretzel with butter and with or without salt ($5).

No, fish tacos are not new to SunFest, but they are new on San Francisco Puffs & Stuff’s menu. Shortt’s resident team will be serving the tacos alongside chicken and nachos ($8).

Mexican-style Avocado Salad ($5)

This is an item on Shortt’s personal must-have list – “I’m a vegetarian,” she explains. Along with this avocado salad, new vendor Heydi’s Latin Grill is offering vegan tacos ($6) and vegan burritos ($8). Among her non-vegan offerings: chicken, pork, beef or steak tacos ($6) and burritos ($8), and chicken or pork tamales ($6).